The acute care and management of the spinal cord injured patient has improved significantly in the last decades. Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) now live longer, but secondary complications remain major concerns. Causes of death among persons with SCI have changed somewhat over time. Up until the mid-20th century, the leading cause of death was renal and pulmonary conditions. Today, the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the cause of death in 46% of SCI subjects surviving at least 30 years post injury.

A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. The term “laser” originated as an acronym for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation”. A laser differs from ot her sources of light in that it emits light coherently. Spatial coherence allows a laser to be focused to a tight spot, enabling applications such as laser cutting and lithography. Spatial coherence also allows a laser beam to stay narrow over great distances (collimation), enabling applications such as laser pointers.

The purpose of this study was to determine if balance education, walking, and Wii™ bowling can reduce the risk of falls in older adults. Seventeen older adults (84.59±4.65 years old), 65 years and older, who were at a risk for falls were recruited for the balance intervention program held twice a week for 8 weeks. Each session consisted 20 minutes of balance education in topics such as medication side-effects, vision and lighting, environmental hazards, footwear, sleep, hydration, and nutrition; 20 minutes of walking at the subject’s own pace; and 20 minutes of Wii™ bowling which included standing up from a chair, walking 3 meters, bowling, walking back 3 meters, and sitting down; twice a week for 8 weeks.

Nutrition Intervention Strategies to Maintain Body Weight of Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Ashley M. Robichaux, Karen Y. Wonders*, Ph.D., FACSM

Severe weight loss (>2% body weight in one week or >10% over 6 months) caused by malnutrition stemming from cancer and its associated treatments is linked to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. While treatments for all forms of cancer can often cause side effects which lead to decreases in body weight, a special situation arises with head and neck cancer patients, who often present with tumor blockages making it even harder for the consumption of adequate nutrition.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common joint diseases worldwide and it is being closely linked with the diseases of lifestyle. The evolution of OA is slow and could lead to joint stiffness, progressive deformity and loss of function, thereby affecting quality of life. The knee is the most commonly affected weight-bearing joint and it is often accompanied by functional disability.